2026 Boston. Brunch review. MILK BREAD MONTE CRISTO -- 18 Pulled Pork, Comte Cheese, Miso-Maple Dijonaise, Roasted Strawberry Jam (Highlight - Best) SECRET BURGER* -- 19 Our 8 oz. House Creekstone Grind, Your Faith, House Made Roll GRILLED SWEET CORN BISCUIT WITH HONEY BUTTER - 9 Morning Fog - 16 orange mezcal, pistachio coconut cream, pasubio cold brew Overall, "I'm a fan." read more

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Decent small-plates/sharing kind of place. I think the food is hit-or-miss but the decor is nice. I enjoyed the steak tartare and was really wowed by the desserts: smoked chocolate bread pudding (super smoky!) and creamy rice pudding brulee. I'd avoid the super popular basil pasta, because it's been overcooked both times I've had it. Service was kinda weird (inattentive, brusque) to us, but it was a busy night. read more

I ate at Alden and Harlow during Alumni week, and the food and service were okay. Our group consisted of people from all over the world. Turkey. Brazil. Ireland. Poland. The group was surprised by the standard "Boston service." Our waiter was short tempered and annoyed by us right off the bat. That's consistent with the attitude in the area, but it was a surprise to the international people. The food was okay. After we left to get drinks, we went around the table and most people rated the food a 6 out of 10. Some 5s, some 7s. Everyone complained about the service, but again, that's just Boston. Even waiters are fed up and bitter. I'd go back for drinks and appetizers if every other place in the area was booked. read more

Good service, tasty food, portions are decent and so is the price. I would go back. It's dark inside so it has a pub vibe. read more

Alden & Harlow - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I came here on Saturday night for dinner and had a nice experience! We were seated close to the kitchen, which I always enjoy since it's fun to see dishes being prepared by the pros! We started with the Brussels sprouts, the focaccia, and the tuna crudo. The crudo was good but the focaccia and Brussels stole the show for sure! We were bummed to find out that they only prepare 30 burgers per night, so we did not get to try one. I wish our waiter had told us that when we first sat down since we saw the kitchen send out about 5 burgers after we were told they were all out... We shared the basil pasta and the NY strip instead. The basil pasta was my preference over the two, but both were good! The service was a bit slow, and my drink was made incorrectly but I didn't send it back since it would've taken a while to get a new one. I know people rave about this place for the burger, so I hope to come back to try it! read more

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One of the worst experiences I've had at a restaurant. Our reservation was for 8:30. We were asked to wait at the bar, where we were ignored by all bartenders. When we did get a table, we did not see a server for another 10-15 minutes. By the time I got a drink, it was well after 9pm. The other two members of my party were served their main courses long before I was - they were done long before my simple plate of pasta came out. No one came to check on us, no one acknowledged us as we left. I can't believe someone operates a restaurant this way. Never again. read more

I came here with a big group for brunch over the summer, where we each picked our own entree and shared a couple dishes. Like other reviewers have mentioned before, some of the dishes arrive faster than others, so I think selecting a few dishes to share family-style among the group might be the best. This is also because I got the milk bread monte cristo ($18) which I thought was tasty, but quickly became too greasy to fully enjoy. It was a big portion which could be easily shared among a group. I also tried their zucchini and spring onion latkes ($18) and seasonal donuts ($12), both of which were excellent. The zucchini latkes were super soft but seasoned perfectly and had a nice aroma of charred onions. I highly recommend the seasonal donuts which are fluffy and not too sweet. read more

Alden & Harlow - Milk bread monte cristo - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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A fun, chic Cambridge restaurant. The food was great - and on par with prices in the area. The staff were young and very helpful in choosing menu items. There are a lot of seating options, though not outside. Can't wait to come back again next time I'm in the area. read more

Food was great, drink was good. I had the "secret burger" which had very high quality and fresh ingredients. Service and ambiance was very meh. Would recommend for a quick bite but there's probably better food for better prices right around the corner in Harvard Square read more

Alden & Harlow - Alden Secret Burger - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Food is delicious and some dishes are interesting but tasty. The kale salad was amazing. Great cocktails and music. Will definitely go back.

I had really high expectations going in here based on how much everyone else has raved about it, but I don't know if those were completely met. We tried the steak tartare, the secret burger, and the basil pasta paired with glasses of wine. The steak tartare was probably the weakest item, there was just absolutely no flavor whatsoever. Normally this dish is umami and maybe has a little kick from the dijon or shallots, but nothing was going on here. The burger was good, it was definitely up there compared to all the burgers I've tried, but it wasn't anything special either. I know a burger is just a burger, but sometimes you try one and it just had something that makes it stand out, and this was just not the case here. What was absolutely fantastic was the basil pasta. I myself am not a huge bolognese fan, but I probably could have eaten at least two more bowls of this pasta if given the option. So rich, noodles cooked perfectly, just so incredibly comforting. It was good enough for me to give me a reason to go back. I was told later that there were a lot off the menu I didn't order that would have explained A&H's popularity, but quite frankly, paying $18 for a carrot or potato dish simply did not resonate with me. Now, as far as service goes, we were unimpressed. I had reserved the patio originally, without realizing it is very deserted from the rest of the establishment, so we switched our table for bar seats. It wasn't a super busy night (we literally found two bar seats next to each other easily) but we were widely ignored throughout the meal. The restaurant has a great vibe, though! read more

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The ambiance, the vibes, the location, and of course THE FOOD! Love this place and recommend it yo everyone! Love a place that encourages the table sharing so you can experience more! read more

Alden & Harlow - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We came by on Sat, Sept 19 and had an awful experience. We sat at the bar and our service was very bad. We showed up around 5:40 and had drinks and an appetizer, but over time it became clear the bar and kitchen were overwhelmed. We had ordered burgers and waited and waited. We asked one bartender to check in on our food and then heard nothing, then a second bartender. After a good 50 min we had to ask for the manager. We saw food runners wandering around and could not locate where to deliver dinners. It was Lord of the Flies. We were very unimpressed with the manager's excuses and inability to take full accountability. We had to head to our show with no dinner. Sometimes you have to fire managers when they cannot do their jobs. read more

Excellent restaurant in Harvard Square! I made reservations for a Friday night while in town and when we arrived, we were seated immediately. Our server came over to greet us and was so welcoming. She explained that the menu is tapas style with lighter appetizer style dishes first and heavier entree style dishes last. There were so many incredible options to choose from. With the recommendation of our server to order 2-3 dishes to share between the two of us, we decided on the Griddled Halloumi Cheese, which was topped with torched cherries and almonds fried in chicken fat. It was so good! I mean, who doesn't love cheese?! The cherries were good, but I think a cherry sauce or puree would have been a little better. Next, we tried the Duck Confit Pierogies, which were served with black pepper yogurt sauce and currants. These were my favorite of the night! Such delicious flavors and they were cooked perfectly. Lastly, we tried the Crispy Pork Belly with grits and torched strawberries. The grits were so creamy and the pork was delicious. Again, I think a strawberry puree would have been better as they didn't seem to add much to the dish. Overall, Alden & Harlow is a great option if you're in the Harvard Square area with at least one other person to share a few dishes with. read more

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I think my expectations might have been slightly too high going into brunch at Alden & Harlow. The food was ok but didn't blow me away. I got the kale salad and we got the latkes to share. One thing I didn't love is that the food does not all come out at the same time. They told us this would be the case so we weren't surprised but we all felt bad that one person at the table got their food 10 mins after the rest of us! They were great at filling up our water quickly though! I will say the location and interior of the restaurant was beautiful. I would come back again to try the dinner menu. read more

They open at 5:00 and not a minute earlier. Supposedly, they are a tapas restaurant. It is a limited menu but they have a basic cheeseburger with chips. . They charge 19.00 for a "secret" burger. For 19.00 it better be a big secret. It was mainly potato chips. I discovered it had shredded lettuce on it. They kept my water full and asked before they took away my plate. I would take it or leave it on the food. My only advice is bring a credit card. read more

First of all, I want to day the service here was amazing. We had a really kind and friendly waitress who made sure that we were having a good time. The vibe of the place was very cute, very natural. The food, however, wasnt really my speed. While the dishes definitely had some creative combos, I felt it was lacking. We ordered the halloumi which was very salty, the pork belly which was good although the skin was too tough, the pierogis and some desserts that were a little too sweet. Overall it was a good time, but I just didnt enjoy the flavor profile. Location was decent, kind of tucked away. There is plenty of lot parking if youd like, it is a struggle to find street parking. read more

Alden & Harlow - Pork belly - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We ordered the cauliflower, pasta, pork belly, and focaccia, all were quite good! Unfortunately, it was near impossible to enjoy as we were seated next to the kitchen where it was genuinely 15 degrees hotter. Everyone in our party was sweating nonstop the entire meal. Each of us went back and forth from the bathroom where it was remarkably cooler. Truly have never had an experience like this, especially at this price point. Not more than 20ft across the restraint the AC was running perfectly fine too. In 90+ degree weather we found going back outside after eating a cool reward compared to our seats. read more

For a table of 4 the server suggested ~5 dishes. We ordered 6 because so many things sounded really good. We certainly left full! I would get everything we ordered again! What we ate: - Ubiquitous Kale Salad. Really Good - Secret Burger. Really really good - Patatas Bravas. Great - Smoked & Fried Chicken "Nuggets". Interesting, the Tarragon Aioli and Burnt Cherry Hot Sauce were really unique and tasty - Grilled Broccoli. Really good, the Butternut Squash Hummus went so well with the broccoli - Basil Pasta. The carrot bolognese was AMAZING read more

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Took a friend visiting from Chicago/LA here and we were both unimpressed by the menu. For the cost and location, we expected a really great menu but the food was uninspiring. Wanted to love it! read more

I had really high expectations for Alden & Harlow based on word of mouth and the reviews. I came in for brunch with 2 friends and I will say the food was outstanding. I got the Biscuits & Gravy, might be the best I've had in the area! My friends got Classic Sourdough Pancakes and the Bravas Skillet and were both happy with their meals! We shared the Torched Fruit and they were sweet and light! The cocktails were average. The espresso martini was lacking something special but was decent overall. The Pearl Petal cocktail was good too but not as sweet as I would think it should be based on the ingredients. Our service on the other hand was not great.. the only time our server came over without us having to wave her down was when she greeted us. It took 15 minutes for her to come back for our drink orders and then another 30 minutes to come back to take our food orders. By the time we were waiting for the check it'd been about 1 hour 50 minutes at the brunch. Metered parking is 2 hours nearby so it was a much longer dining experience than expected because of the lack of attention from the server. She was very nice though! read more

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Alden & Harlow is the perfect place to share delicious food with a good friend. While the space is a nice mix of classy-casual, the food was all class! The menu is full of tempting options so it was hard to choose. We shared the grilled rosemary focaccia, grilled broccoli, roasted cauliflower cesar, and Thai sausage pierogi (with lime, mint yogurt) All were excellent. The grilled rosemary focaccia with fresh, warm, and fluffy and came with a honey whipped ricotta! The grilled broccoli was served on top of heavenly butternut squash hummus and covered nutty-crunchy goodness. The cauliflower cesar and pierogi were also very good; although, I'd probably try something else next time. It was more than enough food for a party of 2. We could have easily only gotten three options, which might have left room for dessert - although maybe not - they are generous portions. Anwho - All in all - great experience all around. read more

A great spot for brunch in Harvard Square! Definitely recommend booking a reservation in advance, as it can get busy. I always go for the classic kale salad, which never disappoints. The steak and eggs benedict with cornbread is another favorite. I also tried the shakshouka, which was tasty, but I think their other dishes shine a bit more. Overall, a must-visit for a delicious brunch in a lovely setting! read more

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Went back to alden and Harlow and it's amazing as ever. They changed the menu a bit but the carrots are always a star. Drinks are great and service is good. Ask to sit in the greenhouse- very romantic and beautiful. read more

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Great food! Just minor issues here and there: Getting inside was a bit confusing since there weren't any signs indicating that we needed to go downstairs to get in. The entrance closest to the street seemed like an obvious entry point. In addition, if our waiter advertises that everything on the menu is shareable between two or more people, it would have been nice if the kitchen put in the extra effort of cutting them in half for us, especially given how expensive the food was. read more

Came to this restaurant as a visitor from out of town for a special event the other night. The restaurant is very nice and has a nice ambience about it. We were a large group, however, it doesn't account for the slow service received. There were several courses that were brought out family style, and they took forever to come out. Water and wine and other beverages were quick and timely. However, the food was extremely slow in coming out. It was to the point, that they brought out the entrée and dessert at the same time. The dinner was supposed to start at 6 PM, and we ended leaving after 9:30 because it was already late for a week night. I would understand if the restaurant was packed and very busy, however, it was not. The food that did come out was very tasty, but it was marred by the poor service and getting the food out. Kitchen needs to work on their execution . read more

Good vibe here on a Sunday night. Service was really good for a table for 2. Chicken nuggets (5/5) Japanese yams (5/5) Salmon and ratatouille (5/5) read more

Alden & Harlow - Japanese yams - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We came with reservation of four! The restaurant was very busy and lively! It was a bit loud because we were sitting next to the kitchen and the party next to us was very boisterous! Other wise it was okay! We had alreay ask to move away from that table in which the accomodated us! Food was very good! It was a bit like American Tapas ,brunch and lunch all combined which made the menu interesting! Latkes, French toast, special burger, and a couple of other dishes all were very delicious! Prices were reasonable $$ Parking in Harvard Square can be a nightmare ,but we found public parking near the hotel. Would go back again to try there other goodies!!! read more

Super yummy new American style food. Tapas-sized portions, made to share. Selection of shareable veggie starters such as roasted carrots and brussels sprouts. Basil pesto pasta was delicious and fun to share. Had the duck entree--it was delicious, yet seemed small for an entree size. Same with the salmon. So noted that you'll want to make sure to order lots of sides, as the entrees can feel a bit more "a la carte" sized. However, some at the table ordered the mackerel and the burger, and these felt like normal sized entrees. So the sizing of the entrees is a bit variable here--something to notice. Great location in Harvard Square, with a delicious wine and cocktail list. read more

Alden & Harlow - Duck - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Fries were not good. They messed up my brother's order with allergens three times. The steak is very dry. Overall food was mid. Even the mid food couldn't save this please though because the vibe was not good. It is very dark read more

" The secret Burger " I am going to tell you a secret . The secret Burger is absolutely the most delicious burger . I have ever eaten in my life thus far . I was in burger heaven . I know it exists I was in it. They took it too far this burger needs a new planet to land on that's how good it is . I could write a poem about this burger it's that good . I just want to mention the value in this burger is priceless . The service was wonderful. The vibe was warm and welcoming. Parking is a bit difficult. However a parking lot close and parking here in there on street . Please remember to always read the signs before parking. May you also get to experience the " secret burger ". read more

Grabbed brunch at Alden and Harlow with some friends and really enjoyed each dish! --Biscuit and gravy: Loved how the biscuit was essentially a pastry with crunchy edges. Also loved how the gravy was creamy but not too heavy and that the herbs introduced a refreshing taste that also helped balance the dish. --Spiced carrot and apple latkes: It was tasty for me because my friends had informed me of its sweet profile after trying it first. For those not expecting the heavy cinnamon flavor, it was weird to have a sweet latke, but I really enjoyed it with the icing-like sauce. --Classic sourdough pancakes: Very solid! Edges were crispy while the inside was chewy. Liked how it wasn't too heavy either. Good ratio of cream/blueberry sauce to pancakes. --Secret burger: Tasty for sure! But I didn't see how phenomenal as others have described it. The patty was nicely cooked to medium rare. Sauces were slightly spicy and tangy, almost like a chipotle mayo. The Parmesan crisp added a nice contrast in texture. --Steak and eggs benedict: Loved how the eggs were appropriately poached with an intact yolk. The cornbread had a strong corn aroma and worked well as the base of the benedict since it soaked up other flavors/sauces. The herb hollandaise sauce was savory and herbacious, but I wish they gave me a little bit more. Steak pieces were very nicely cooked to medium rare and well seasoned. Heard it can be pretty busy but glad we went during a holiday weekend. I appreciate the staff's proactive effort to actually check with the kitchen about a friend's peanut allergy! However wish she offered coffee refills, although we also did not specifically ask for it. Overall a great place for brunch and want to stop by dinner for their corn pancakes! read more

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What the heck happened? My last visit here was a 5/5 experience but tonight... easily one of my most disappointing dining experiences in recent history. Looking at my previous pics, portion changes have gotten smaller and the dishes just changed for no discernable reason. For example, the rosemary focaccia you just get olive tapenade and sweet better compared to the dip that was in the mason jar previously. And the king Ora salmon is now half the size and just served with bread and ratatouille. Also, the meal was somewhat expensive clocking in at $200 for a bad meal. It's sad to see Alden & Harlow in this current state. read more

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Located just outside Harvard square, Alden and Harlow is a trendy restaurant with a very inviting atmosphere. My review focuses on three appetizers only, and I cannot speak to the drinks. The service was very good - courteous and prompt. We had the grilled focaccia, the duck pierogi, and fried pork belly. While on paper these dishes look inspired, I personally found them to be just average, lacking depth of flavor. Once you grill focaccia, you remove that which makes it flavorful. The duck pierogies had nothing of the duck profile that would make this dish interesting, and while I really appreciated the crispiness of the pork belly, there was generally a lack of interesting flavor to recommend this dish. Again, my review is limited to these three dishes, and I would need to try other dishes to determine whether it was just my experience that makes me give this restaurant three-stars only. read more

Stumbled upon Alden & Harlow while visiting Cambridge from New Jersey. What a great find! We sat at the bar and ordered brunch. Our bartendar John was great! Very attentive and friendly. We also loved the restaurants ambiance. It felt warm and cozy. I had the burger with kale salad. Loved the flavors of the burger. It had a mix of brisket and beef and tasty sauce. I especially loved the pistachio, fennel kale salad. The dressing was amazing! My friend had the french toast which was amazing as well. So glad we discovered this gem. Would return and highly recommend. read more

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This was our first time here, and everything was exceptional. Our server was attentive, with excellent responses to our menu questions. While our braised beef and bolognese selections were outstanding, the Ubiquitous Kale Salad was nothing short of incredible. The dressing was beyond special. I'd highly recommend Alden & Harlow to anyone seeking a unique and savory dining experience read more

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So impressed with this brunch spot near Harvard! The dining area is spacious, if a bit dim, and has a nice rustic vibe. The menu is nice and simple, making it easy for large groups to choose which plates they want to share. First up we got the summer squash latkes, which might have been one of my favorites - it was the perfect blend of sweet and savory and went super well with the yogurt sauce. The bravas skillet, kale salad, and shakshouka were, in my opinion, ones that could be skipped - the skillet was good but nothing special (and the potatoes didn't quite have the crisp outside and fluffy inside that I prefer), and the kale salad was really plain. It was a decently sized portion though. The shakshouka was alright but I'm sure you could get better elsewhere. I personally liked the fried brussels sprouts, but I could see how they could be divisive as they have a very strong fish sauce flavor. We also got the focaccia egg sandwich and the pickled corn biscuits, which were good but a bit tough to share. I couldn't really taste the biscuit under the slightly heavy gravy but I especially liked the herb salad that comes with the biscuits as it complemented the gravy very well. To round out the meal, we got the sweet corn pancakes and the French toast; both things that I probably wouldn't have ordered on my own but honestly they were two of my favorite dishes. The pancakes had a really nice corn flavor and a light, fluffy texture and the peaches were very juicy. I thought the French toast would be too basic but it was actually one of the best French toasts I've had - the slices of toast were thick and buttery and the vanilla cream cheese spread was delicious and not overly sweet. The service is friendly and also super fast, which was a huge plus. Overall had a great experience and I'd love to try their dinner menu as well! read more

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Last summer, I dropped by this place for lunch during a raining afternoon. I ordered the donuts and secret burger and an iced tea for a drink. The donuts were filled with peanut butter and jelly and drizzled with maple syrup and topped with pistachios. They were warm and pillowy. Very good! The secret burger contained an 8 ounce patty, large cheese crisp, shredded lettuce and a thousand island like dressing. It also came with a side of kettle chips which were kind of dry. The burger was good though but not a "must eat" for me. For dessert, I got the sweet roll which was a warm cinnamon roll topped with an apple compote. It was tasty but I still think the donuts topped it! The bartender was friendly and attentive. read more

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This was my 4th visit here. All in, I really enjoy this place and it's a top choice when I'm already in Cambridge but I wouldn't drive in just to eat here. The atmosphere is great. The cocktails are on point. The food is delightful. It's spendy, fyi. Two people with a couple of apps and two cocktails funs around $80. read more

We wanted to feel like the elite individuals of society that belong to Harvard so we had to get brunch here by Harvard square. This basement restaurant has a rustic and hip vibe with the cutest patio and the friendly but also classy staff. When I walked in I could smell the erudite conversation that comes with the food that everyone's having, which I was hungry for. To show gratitude to our working OT, we have to get the French toast $17. And omg it is sooo good! The berries are fresh as though they just got picked, and the toasts are soft inside and crispy outside with a buttery taste but not overly sweet. The steak and eggs Benedict $23 is another crowd stopper. It's on cornbread instead traditional English muffin, to show is well separated from the colonial British imperialism. The steak is soft and chewy, hopefully it's grass fed no gmo. We also had high hopes for focaccia egg sandwich $17. What could be better than eggs with pimento cheese on focaccia? But it was a big disappointment like me to my father. The sandwich self was so greasy we can hardly taste anything else. The arugula side salad is colossal with super salty dressing, and the leaves are kinda old. Our waiter was so nice that he let us pick another dish, so we tried bravas skillet $19. It was also really salty, and the potatoes are not super cooked inside, maybe they wanted to go for a crunchy texture but my pallets don't agree. Overall kinda disappointed by the food but the service is fast and the staff is nice. read more

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